Thermal liquid container system with heat loss prevention lid

ABSTRACT

A heat loss protection lid for a thermal liquid container system, wherein the heat loss protection lid comprises a central body, a liquid ingress opening formed within the central body, a liquid dispensing opening formed within one of a peripheral edge of the central body or a lip formed around the peripheral edge of the central body. and a concealed air intake hole.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/993,317, filed on Aug. 14, 2020, which claims the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 62/900,205, filed on Sep. 13, 2019.This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 63/012,976, filed on Apr. 21, 2020. The disclosures of the aboveapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD

The present teachings relate to a thermal liquid container system, andmore particularly to a liquid container system that can have liquids ofan undesired temperature poured into the container and substantiallyimmediately have the liquid dispensed from the container at a desiredtemperature. The present teachings additionally relate to beveragecontainer lids, and more particularly to a beverage container lidincluding a heat loss protection unit.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

There are many thermal insulating liquid containers (e.g., beveragecontainers) on the market today. Such containers are typicallystructured and operable to minimize (i.e., slow down) the rejectionand/or absorption of heat from the liquid (e.g., beverage) disposedwithin the container into or by the ambient environment. That is, suchcontainers are structured and operable to slow down the cooling and/orwarming of the liquid (e.g., beverage) by providing an insulatingbarrier between the hot or cold liquid and the ambient environment suchthat the rejection of the thermal energy within the liquid to theambient environment, and/or the absorption of the thermal energy withinliquid by the ambient environment is minimized. Such thermal insulatingliquid (e.g., beverage) containers are relatively thermally inefficientand do not maintain the liquid (e.g., beverage) at a desirable drinkingtemperature for an extended period of time. For example, for hotbeverages the desired drinking temperature can be approximately 98° F.to 160° F. (approximately 37° C. to 71° C.), and for cold beverages thedesired drinking temperature can be approximately 32° F. to 50° F.(approximately 0° C. to 10° C.).

Such known thermal insulating liquid (e.g., beverage) containers aregenerally known to maintain the respective liquid beverage within thedesired temperature range (e.g., desired drinking temperature range)only for a short period of time. For example, if a hot beverage ispoured into a paper cup without any insulation, the temperature of thebeverage may remain within the desired drinking temperature range foronly approximately 5-30 minutes. Or, for example, if a hot liquid ispoured into a known insulated beverage container, e.g., a double-walledvacuum tumbler, the beverage may remain the desired drinking temperaturerange for only approximately 30-90 minutes.

Various related technology patents are US patents: U.S. Pat. Nos.2,876,634; 3,205,677; 3,603,106; 3,807,194; 3,995,445; 4,638,645;6,634,417; 7,934,537; and US0083755. However, the manufacturing processdisclosed in such patents has limited application.

Additionally, current known thermally insulated hot beverage mugs, e.g.,thermally insulated coffee mugs, generally have three maindisadvantages: 1) when customers want to fill or refill beverage such asa hot beverage, customers have to remove lid, which is not convenient;2) the air and drinking holes are directly open to the ambient air whichresults in a lot of heat loss; and 3) the most common double-wall vacuuminsulated hot beverage mugs have very good insulation which keeps thebeverage very hot and generally prevents the consumer from immediatelydrinking the beverage. That is, the consumer must let the beverage coolbefore the beverage obtains a desired drinking temperature, e.g., 98° F.to 160° F. (approximately 37° C. to 71° C.).

SUMMARY

In various embodiments the present disclosure generally provides a heatloss protection lid for a thermal liquid container system, wherein theheat loss protection lid comprises a central body, a liquid ingressopening formed within the central body, a liquid dispensing openingformed within one of a peripheral edge of the central body or a lipformed around the peripheral edge of the central body. and a concealedair intake hole.

In various embodiments. the present disclosure provides a thermal liquidcontainer system for dispensing a liquid from the system at atemperature within a desired temperature range, wherein the systemcomprises a main body, a phase change material (PCM) liner disposedwithin the main body having a PCM disposed therein, wherein the PCM hasa selected melting temperature, a liquid reservoir defined by PCM liner,wherein the liquid reservoir is structured and operable to have a liquiddisposed therein having a first temperature, and a removable liquiddispensing partition disposable within the liquid reservoir such that atemperature conditioning channel is formed between the PCM liner and thebeverage dispensing partition. The thermal liquid container systemadditionally comprises a heat loss protection lid, wherein the heat lossprotection lid comprises a central body, a liquid ingress opening formedwithin the central body; a liquid dispensing opening formed within oneof a peripheral edge of the central body or a lip formed around theperipheral edge of the central body, and a concealed air intake hole.The temperature conditioning channel is structured and operablecondition a temperature of the liquid passing therethrough to be withina desired temperature range determined by the selected PCM meltingtemperature.

This summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing variousexample embodiments of the present disclosure so as to provide a basicunderstanding of various aspects of the teachings herein. Variousembodiments, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, theprinciples of the described embodiments. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that the description and specific examples set forth hereinare intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended tolimit the scope of the present teachings.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and arenot intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating a thermal liquidcontainer system, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrating a liquid being dispensed when aliquid reservoir of the container is filled with the liquid, inaccordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrating the liquid being dispensed therefromwhen the liquid reservoir of the container is approximately half filledwith the liquid, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2C is block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shown inFIG. 1 exemplarily illustrating the liquid being dispensed therefromwhen the liquid reservoir of the container is approximately one quarterfilled with the liquid, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrating a dispensing liquid flow path whenthe container system is tilted, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 including a steeping basket, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4B is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 including a steeping basket that provides a beveragedispensing partition, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 including one or more PMC heat sink, in accordance withvarious embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 1 including one or more PMC heat sink, in accordance withvarious other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5C is a lateral cross-sectional view of a PCM liner of the thermalliquid container system shown in FIG. 1 including one or more PMC heatsink, in accordance with various other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system inaccordance with FIG. 1 including an ‘L’ shaped beverage dispensingpartition, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the thermal liquid container system shownin FIG. 6, in accordance with various other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a cross-section of a heat loss protectionlid, in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a cross-section of the heat lossprotection lid shown in FIG. 8A exemplarily illustrating a liquid heatloss barrier, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8C is a block diagram of a cross-section of the heat lossprotection lid shown in FIG. 8A exemplarily illustrating a vapor heatloss barrier, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 8D is an enlarged view of a section of FIG. 8C illustrating thevapor heat loss barrier, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8E is a cross-sectional view a heat loss protection lid exemplarilyillustrated in FIG. 8A, in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 8F is an isometric view of the heat loss protection lid shown inFIG. 8E, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9A is a cross-section of the heat loss protection lid, inaccordance with various other embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9B is a top view of the heat loss protection lid shown in FIG. 9A,in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9C is a side view of the heat loss protection lid shown in FIG. 9A,in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9D is an isometric bottom view of the heat loss protection lidshown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9E is an isometric view of an ingress opening cover of heat lossprotection lid shown in FIG. 9A, in accordance with various embodimentsof the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the heat loss protection lid shownin FIGS. 9A through 9E removable connected to a beverage dispensingpartition steeping basket that is removably disposable within a mainbody and phase change material liner of the thermal liquid containersystem shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, in accordance with variousembodiments of the present disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no wayintended to limit the present teachings, application, or uses.Throughout this specification, like reference numerals will be used torefer to like elements. Additionally, the embodiments disclosed beloware not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to theprecise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather,the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in theart can utilize their teachings. As well, it should be understood thatthe drawings are intended to illustrate and plainly disclose presentlyenvisioned embodiments to one of skill in the art, but are not intendedto be manufacturing level drawings or renditions of final products andcan include simplified conceptual views to facilitate understanding orexplanation. As well, the relative size and arrangement of thecomponents can differ from that shown and still operate within thespirit of the invention.

As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving asan example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation describedherein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Allof the implementations described below are exemplary implementationsprovided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosureand are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill inthe art to which this disclosure belongs. The terminology used herein isfor the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and isnot intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,”“an,” and “the” can be intended to include the plural forms as well,unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,”“comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and thereforespecify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps,processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed asnecessarily requiring their performance in the particular orderdiscussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order ofperformance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternativesteps can be employed.

When an element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to or with,”“connected to or with,” or “coupled to or with” another element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., it can bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to or with the other element,object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., orintervening elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regionsor sections, etc., can be present. In contrast, when an element, object,device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc., is referred to asbeing “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or“directly coupled to” another element, object, device, apparatus,component, region or section, etc., there can be no interveningelements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., present. Other words used to describe the relationshipbetween elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components, regions orsections, etc., should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between”versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.).

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. For example, A and/or Bincludes A alone, or B alone, or both A and B.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein todescribe various elements, objects, devices, apparatuses, components,regions or sections, etc., these elements, objects, devices,apparatuses, components, regions or sections, etc., should not belimited by these terms. These terms can be used only to distinguish oneelement, object, device, apparatus, component, region or section, etc.,from another element, object, device, apparatus, component, region orsection, etc., and do not necessarily imply a sequence or order unlessclearly indicated by the context.

Moreover, it will be understood that various directions such as “upper”,“lower”, “bottom”, “top”, “left”, “right”, “first”, “second” and soforth are made only with respect to explanation in conjunction with thedrawings, and that components can be oriented differently, for instance,during transportation and manufacturing as well as operation. Becausemany varying and different embodiments can be made within the scope ofthe concept(s) herein taught, and because many modifications can be madein the embodiments described herein, it is to be understood that thedetails herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and non-limiting.

As used herein, it will be understood that a phase change material (PCM)is generally a substance with a high heat of fusion that melts andsolidifies at a certain temperature and is capable of storing andreleasing large amounts of energy. Heat is absorbed or released when thePCM changes from solid to liquid and vice versa, thus, PCMs are oftenclassified as latent heat storage (LHS) units. When PCMs reach thetemperature at which they change phase (their melting temperature) theyabsorb large amounts of heat at an almost constant temperature. The PCMcontinues to absorb heat without a significant rise in temperature untilall the material is transformed to the liquid phase. When thetemperature of the environment surrounding the liquid PCM falls to belowthe PCM melting temperature, the PCM solidifies, releasing its storedlatent heat into the surrounding environment. A large number of PCMs areavailable in any required temperature range, e.g., from approximately20° F. to 375° F. (approximately from −7° C. up to 190° C.). Many PCMscan store 5 to 14 times more heat per unit volume than sensible heat ofconventional storage materials such as water, masonry or rock.

The present teachings relate to a thermal liquid container and heat lossprotection lid, and more particularly to a liquid container that canhave liquids of an undesired temperature poured into the container andsubstantially immediately have the liquid dispensed from the containerat a desired temperature, and a lid that prevents heat loss through theair and drinking holes.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present disclosure provides athermal liquid container system 10 (e.g., a consumable beveragecontainer or mug) that is structured and operable to quickly conditionor adjust (e.g., change) a temperature of a liquid poured into thecontainer system 10 to be within a desired temperature range when theliquid is discharged or dispensed, and further to dispense the liquidwithin the desired temperature range for an extended period of time(e.g., 1-24 hours). That is, the container system 10 is structured andoperable to receive a liquid (i.e., have liquid poured into thecontainer system 10) having an undesired temperature and substantiallyimmediately dispense the liquid at a temperature within a desiredtemperature range. Additionally, the container system 10 is structuredand operable to retain the received liquid at substantially theundesired temperature for an extended long of time (e.g., 1 to 12 hours)and dispense the liquid at a temperature within the desired temperaturerange for an extended period of time (e.g., 1-24 hours). Accordingly,the liquid can be poured into the container system 10 at an undesiredtemperature and be dispensed at a temperature within the desiredtemperature range substantially immediately thereafter and for anextended period of time (e.g., 1 to 24 hours) thereafter. It should beunderstood that although the container system 10 of the presentdisclosure can be any container system used to quickly adjust thetemperature of any liquid as the liquid is being dispensed, and remainwithin the scope of the present disclosure, for simplicity and claritythe container system 10 will be illustrated and described herein as abeverage container system 10 used to quickly adjust the temperature of aliquid beverage to be within a desired drinking temperature range as thebeverage is being dispensed, and be capable of doing so for an extendedperiod of time (e.g., for approximately 1 to 24 hours). In suchembodiments, example desired drinking temperature ranges can beapproximately 37° C./98° F. to 71° C./160° F. for hot beverages, andapproximately 0° C./32° F. to or to 12° C./54° F. for cold beverages.

Generally, the container system 10 comprises a main body 14 and a phasechange material (PCM) liner 18 disposed (e.g., fixedly or removably)within the main body 14. More specifically, the main body 14 isstructured and formed to have at least one sidewall 22 and a bottom 26that define a PCM liner receptacle 30 in which the PCM liner 18 isstructured and formed to be disposed. The PCM liner 18 is a hollow bodyliner having at least one sidewall 34, and in various instances a bottom38, that define a liquid or beverage reservoir 42 suitable for retainingvarious hot and/or cold liquids and beverages (e.g., coffee, tea, hotchocolate, soda, beer, water, etc.). The main body sidewall 22 and thePCM liner sidewall 34 can be structured and formed to have generally anyradial (or lateral) cross-sectional shape and to define the beveragereservoir 42 having generally any lateral cross-sectional shape. Forexample, in various embodiments, the main body and PCM liner 18sidewalls 22 and 34 can be structured and formed to have a cylindrical,square, oval, rectangular, triangular, etc., radial (or lateral)cross-sectional shape, and the beverage reservoir 42 can have anysimilar or dissimilar cylindrical, square, oval, rectangular,triangular, etc., radial (or lateral) cross-sectional shape. In variousinstances the PCM liner 18 can be fixedly connected to the main body 14and disposed within the PCM liner receptacle 30. In various alternativeinstances, the PCM liner 18 can be a removable module removably disposedwithin the PCM liner receptacle 30.

The container system 10 further comprises a heat loss protection (HLP)lid or cap assembly 50 that is disposable over the open end of thecontainer system 10 and is removably connectable to a top end of themain body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or a beverage dispensingpartition 46 (described below), and at least partially covers thebeverage reservoir 42. The HLP lid 50 includes a beverage ingressopening 54 formed in a central body 50A of the HLP lid 50 that allows abeverage (or liquid) to be poured into the beverage reservoir 42, and abeverage dispensing opening 58 formed in or near a peripheral orcircumferential edge of the central body 50A, or in a lip or rim of theHLP lid 50 formed around and extending from the peripheral orcircumferential edge of the central body 50A. The dispensing opening 58allows a beverage to be dispensed from the beverage reservoir 42, asdescribed further below. Still further, the container system 10comprises an interior beverage dispensing partition 46 that is disposed,or is removably disposable, within the beverage reservoir 42. Thepartition 46 has a predetermined length L such that when the partition46 is disposed within the beverage reservoir 42 it does not contact thePCM bottom wall 38 and has a predetermined space X between a distal end46A of the partition 46 (or in various embodiments described below withregard to FIG. 4B, the bottom 94 of a partition steeping basket 46/86)and the PCM bottom wall 38, or the main body bottom 26 in the variousinstances where the PCM liner 18 does not have the bottom. The partition46 is additionally has an outer diameter OD of a predetermined lengthsuch that when the partition 46 is disposed within the beveragereservoir 42 it is spaced a distance D from the PCM liner sidewall 34inside diameter ID, thereby defining a beverage (or liquid) temperatureconditioning channel 62 having the predetermined width of D.

In various embodiments, the HLP lid 50 can be structured and operable toremovably engage with the container body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 in asubstantially liquid-tight manner. For example, in various embodiments,the HLP lid 50 can threadably and positively engage the body 14 and/orthe PCM liner 18 and/or the dispensing partition 46, via an inner and/orouter face of a retention collar 98. Or, in other embodiments, the lidassembly 50 can comprise a seal or gasket, e.g., a rubber-like O-ring orany other type of liquid seal (not shown) disposed around or connectedto an inner or outer face of a retention collar 98 such that HLP lid 50is removably frictionally and/or compressively engageable with the body14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or the dispensing partition 46. Or, inyet other embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 8A through 9Dthe retention collar 98 can comprises an outer retention collar 98A thatis structured to threadably or frictionally/compressively engage thebody 14 and/or PCM liner 18, and an inner retention collar 98B that isstructured to threadably or frictionally/compressively engage thedispensing partition 46 (or, in various instances the partition steepingbasket 46/86). Importantly, the HLP lid 50 is structured such that whenit is properly disposed on and secured to the main body 14 and/or thePCM liner 18 and/or dispensing partition 46 (or, in various instancesthe partition steeping basket 46/86) the central body 50A of the HLP lid50 and a proximal end 46B of the dispensing partition 46 (or, in variousinstances the partition steeping basket 46/86) form a seal therebetweensuch that the only flow path for the beverage to be dispensed throughthe beverage dispensing opening 58 is for the beverage to flow aroundthe dispensing partition distal end 46A (or in various instances throughthe sieve/screen bottom 94 of the partition steeping basket 46/86),through the conditioning channel 62 and out the dispensing opening 58 inthe HLP lid 50, as described in detail below. The dispensing partition46 (or, in various instances the partition steeping basket 46/86)additionally partitions the beverage reservoir 42 into a main beverageretention chamber 66 defined by dispensing partition 46 (or, in variousinstances the partition steeping basket 46/86) and the conditioningchannel 62 formed between the PCM liner 18 and the beverage dispensingpartition 46 (or, in various instances the partition steeping basket46/86).

The PCM liner 18 is a hollow body having a PCM cavity 70 that isstructured to retain a desired PCM 74 that thermally contacts a beveragewithin the temperature conditioning channel 62 such that thermal energyis exchanged between the beverage and the PCM 74 as the beverage isdispensed a consumer, thereby dispensing the beverage at a temperaturewithin a desired temperature range, as described below. It is envisionedthat the PCM liner 18 can be any one or more reservoir, bladder,compartment, cavity, container, housing, or other hollow structure thatcan be at least partially filled with the PCM 74. Moreover, the PCMliner 18 is structured and formed to be airtight and leak-tight suchthat any beverage (or other liquid) that may be disposed within the mainbeverage retention chamber 66 and/or the conditioning channel 62 willnot leak, migrate or otherwise enter the PCM cavity 70, and similarlysuch that the PCM 74 will not leak, migrate or otherwise enter the mainbeverage retention chamber 66 and/or the conditioning channel 62. ThePCM liner 18 can be fabricated of any material suitable for retaininghot and/or cold beverages (or liquids), e.g., beverages (or liquids)ranging from approximately −7° C./20° F. to 94° C./200° F. For example,it is envisioned that the PCM liner 18 can be fabricated from stainlesssteel, glass, ceramics, suitable plastics, etc.

Generally, the container system 10 of the present disclosure isstructured and operable such that when a person discharges or pours abeverage from the container system 10 (e.g., proceeds to consume thebeverage), the beverage flows through the temperature conditioningchannel 62, whereby heat is exchanged between the beverage and a phasechange material 74, thereby very quickly reducing or increases thebeverage temperature to a temperature within the desired drinkingtemperature range which is substantially equal to the meltingtemperature of the PCM 74. For example, in various embodiments, thecontainer system 10 is structured and operable to allow a person whodesires to drink a hot liquid (e.g., a hot consumable beverage) within adesired drinking temperature range (e.g., approximately 53° C./127° F.58° C./136° F.) to pour a hot beverage that has a temperaturegreater/higher than an upper limit of a desired drinking temperaturerange (e.g., greater/higher than 55° C./136° F.) into the beveragereservoir 42 of the container system 10, whereafter the liquid can beconsumed substantially instantly at a temperature within the desireddrinking temperature range (e.g. 53° C./127° F. to 55° C./136° F.). Moreparticularly, substantially immediately, or within a very short time(e.g., 1-30 seconds) after the hot beverage is poured into the beveragereservoir 42, the beverage can be discharged from the main beverageretention chamber 66 via the conditioning channel 62 whereby as the hotbeverage flows through temperature conditioning channel 62 heat isextracted from beverage by a PCM 74 substantially instantly reducing thebeverage temperature to a temperature substantially equal to the PCMmelting temperature which is selected to be within the desired drinkingtemperature range.

More specifically, when a beverage (e.g., a hot beverage such ascoffee), is poured into or disposed within the beverage reservoir 42,and then the beverage is dispensed through the conditioning channel 62,the thermal energy (i.e., the heat) from hot beverage is transferred(i.e., rejected to and absorbed by) the PCM 74, causing the PCM 74 tochange phase from a substantially solid form to a liquid form, wherebythe PCM 74 stores the thermal energy (i.e., the heat). Note the PCM 74is preselected to have melting temperature that is within a desireddrinking temperature range for the respective beverage. Therefore, whenthe hot beverage is poured into the beverage reservoir 42, and when thebeverage is dispensed through the conditioning channel 62, the PCMabsorbs thermal energy (e.g., heat) from the hot beverage, such that thetemperature of the hot beverage is quickly reduced to, or approximateto, the respective melting temperature of the respective PCM 74 (i.e.,within the desired drinking temperature range). Thereafter, when thetemperature of the beverage cools such that the temperature of thebeverage in the main beverage chamber 66 is reduced to a temperaturebelow the melting temperature of PCM 74, as the beverage is dispensedand flows through the conditioning channel, the PCM 74 releases (i.e.,rejects) the stored thermal energy (i.e., the heat) back into beverageto heat the beverage and dispense the beverage at or near the meltingtemperature of the PCM 74, and therefore within the desired drinkingtemperature range. That is, the heat stored in the PCM 74 is rejected toand absorbed by the beverage as it flows through the conditioningchannel 62, thereby quickly heating the beverage to within theparticular desired drinking temperature range. In this way, a hotbeverage disposed within the beverage reservoir 42 can be dispensedhaving a temperature within the desired drinking temperature range(e.g., a temperature within the range of approximately 53° C./127° F. to55° C./136° F.), for many hours (e.g., approximately 1 to 24 hours).

Similarly, in various other embodiments, the heat exchanging liquidcontainer system 10 can be configured, via selection of the PCM 74, toallow a person who desires to drink a cold or cool liquid (e.g., a coldor cool consumable beverage) within a desired drinking temperature range(e.g., approximately 1° C./34° F. to 12° C./54° F.) to pour a beveragethat has a temperature higher than an upper limit of a desired drinkingtemperature range (e.g., higher than 6° C./43° F.) into the beveragereservoir 42 of the container system 10, whereafter the liquid can beconsumed substantially instantly at a temperature within the desireddrinking temperature range (1° C./33° F. to 13° C./54° F.). Moreparticularly, in such instances the PCM 74 is selected to have a meltingtemperature within the desired temperature range (e.g., a meltingtemperature of 4° C./39° F.), and prior to use, the container system 10is stored in a refrigerated or cold environment (e.g., an electricfreezer or a cooler filled with ice) having a temperature below the PCMmelting temperature (e.g., below 4° C./39° F.) such that the PCM 74obtains its melting temperature (e.g., below 4° C./39° F.) and isconverted to its solid state. Subsequently, when the container system isto be used, it is removed from the refrigerated or cold environmentwhereafter a beverage having a temperature greater than the meltingtemperature of the PCM 74 (e.g., greater than the desired drinkingtemperature) can be poured into the beverage reservoir 42. Substantiallyimmediately, or within a very short time (e.g., 1-30 seconds) thereafterthe beverage can be dispensed from the main beverage retention chamber66 via the conditioning channel 62 whereby as the beverage flows throughtemperature conditioning channel 62 heat is extracted from beverage by aPCM 74 substantially instantly reducing the beverage temperature to atemperature substantially equal to the PCM melting temperature. It isenvisioned that in such cooling embodiments, the container system 10 canbe utilized to cool beverages to approximately the desired temperaturefor several hours (e.g., 1.0 to 24 hours) depending on the ambientenvironment temperature, and that contain system 10 can be refilledseveral times with a single charging of the container system 10 (i.e.,cooling the container system until the PCM 74 changes completely to itsliquid phase).

As described above, the outer diameter OD of the beverage dispensingpartition 46 (or, in various instances the partition steeping basket46/86) is selected to have a length, relative to an inner diameter ID ofthe PCM liner 18 such that the temperature conditioning channel 62 willhave the width D. The width D is selected to regulate or control thevolume and flow rate of a beverage flow F flowing from the main beverageretention chamber 66 through the conditioning channel 62 and allowed tobe dispensed, and thereby regulate or control the rate of thermal energyexchange between the beverage in the beverage flow F and the PCM 74. Asone skilled in the art will readily understand, the smaller the volumeof beverage flow F in thermal contact with the PCM 74 (i.e., the smallerthe width D of the conditioning channel 62) the higher the rate ofthermal energy exchange between the beverage flow F and the PCM 74, andmore specifically, the faster the temperature of beverage flow F will beconditioned, or adjusted, to approximate the melting temperature of thePCM 74. In various embodiments, only the PCM liner 18 includes only thesidewall 34 (i.e., is absent the bottom 38) such that is structured andformed to define the PCM cavity, such that only the PCM liner sidewall34 is fillable with the PCM 74. While in other embodiments, wherein thePCM liner 18 includes the bottom 38, the PCM liner sidewall 34 andbottom 38 are structured and formed to define the PCM cavity 70 and arefillable with the PCM 74.

Additionally, in various embodiments, the main body 14 can be a hollowbody structured and formed to include an interior hollow space thatdefines an insulation cavity 78 that can be at least partially filledwith thermal insulation. The thermal insulation can be any suitablethermal insulation, for example, in various embodiments the insulationcavity 78 can be at least partially filled with any desired thermalinsulating material, gas or liquid, or can be absent a material, gas orliquid. For example, in various instances, the insulation cavity 78 canbe absent or void of air, or mostly absent or void of air (e.g., avacuum or reduced air), or in other instances the insulation cavity 78can be at least partially filled with fiberglass, polystyrene,polyurethane foam, cellulose, mineral wool, or any other presently andfuture known thermal insulation material. The thermal insulatingfunction provided by the thermal insulation within insulation cavity 78will reduce and retard the rejection of thermal energy (e.g., heat loss)from the PCM 74 to the ambient environment such that the PCM will remainat its respective phase change temperature (also referred to herein asthe melting temperature) for an extended period of time.

Similarly, in various embodiments, the dispensing partition 46 (or, invarious instances the partition steeping basket 46/86) can be a hollowbody structured and formed to include an interior hollow space thatdefines an insulation cavity 82 that can be at least partially filledwith thermal insulation. The thermal insulation can be any suitablethermal insulation, for example, in various embodiments the insulationcavity 82 can be at least partially filled with any desired thermalinsulating material, gas or liquid, or can be absent a material, gas orliquid. For example, in various instances, the insulation cavity 82 canbe absent or void of air, or mostly absent or void of air (e.g., avacuum or reduced air), or in other instances the insulation cavity 82can be at least partially filled with fiberglass, polystyrene,polyurethane foam, cellulose, mineral wool, or any other presently andfuture known thermal insulation material. The dispensing partition 46(or, in various instances the partition steeping basket 46/86) and thethermal insulating within the insulating cavity 82 provide a barrierbetween the beverage within the retention chamber 66 and the beveragewithin the conditioning channel 62. The dispensing partition 46 (or, invarious instances the partition steeping basket 46/86) and the thermalinsulating within the insulating cavity 82 additionally provide abarrier between the beverage within the retention chamber 66 and the PCM74 within the PCM liner sidewall 34. Accordingly, barrier provided bythe dispensing partition 46 (or, in various instances the partitionsteeping basket 46/86) and the thermal insulating within the insulatingcavity 82 significantly reduces or substantially prevents the rejectionof thermal energy from the beverage within the retention chamber 66 tothe beverage within the conditioning channel 62 and to the PCM 74 withinthe PCM liner sidewall 34. Therefore, the temperature of the beveragewithin the retention chamber 66 will be maintained at or near itsinitial temperature and the decrease of the temperature within theretention chamber 66 will be retarded for an extended period of time(e.g., 1-12 hours).

In operation, when the container system 10 is tilted, or when a suctionis applied to the dispensing opening 58 to dispense or draw the beveragefrom the container system 10, the beverage flow F is generated throughthe conditioning channel 62. Accordingly, the beverage flow F will flowfrom within the retention chamber 66, through the conditioning channel62 thermally contacting the PCM 74 and exit the conditioning channel 62at a conditioning channel egress end 62A which is fluidly connected tothe lid dispensing opening 58. As one skilled in the art will readilyunderstand, when the beverage in beverage flow F flows through theconditioning channel 62 the beverage thermally contacts the PCM 74within the PCM liner 18. More particularly, when the beverage inbeverage flow F is at a temperature that is greater than the meltingtemperature of the PCM 74, as the beverage flows through theconditioning channel 62 thermal energy is transferred from the beveragein the beverage flow F to the PCM 74 (i.e., the PCM 74 absorbs thermalenergy (heat) from the beverage), thereby cooling the beverage in thebeverage flow F to a temperature within the desired temperature range(e.g., a temperature approximate the melting temperature of the PCM 74).The PCM 74 stores the absorbed thermal energy and conversely, after thetemperature of the beverage within the retention chamber 66 cools to atemperature that is lower than the melting temperature of the PCM 74, asthe beverage flow F flows through the conditioning channel 62 thermalenergy stored in the PCM 74 is transferred from the PCM 74 to thebeverage in beverage flow F (i.e., the PCM 74 rejects the stored thermalenergy (heat) and the beverage in beverage flow F absorbs the storedthermal energy (heat) from the PCM 74), thereby heating the beverage inbeverage flow F to a temperature within the desired temperature range.In this way, when the beverage exits the conditioning channel 62, thebeverage will have a temperature within the desired drinking temperaturerange (e.g., approximately 53° C./127° F. to 58° C./136° F. for hotliquids, and 1° C./33° F. to 6° C./42° F. for cold liquids).

In the embodiments where the PCM liner 18 include the bottom 38, as oneskilled in the art will readily understand that, due to the volume ofthe beverage within retention chamber 66 and the barrier provided by thedispensing partition 46 (or, in various instances the partition steepingbasket 46/86), when the container system 10 is in an upright orientation(i.e., the beverage is not being dispensed and not flowing through theconditioning channel 62) the thermal energy exchange rate between thebeverage and the PCM 74 within the PCM liner bottom 38 (e.g., the rateof absorption of heat by the PCM 74) will be considerably slower thanthe thermal energy exchange rate between the beverage flowing throughthe conditioning channel 62 and the PCM 74 within the PCM liner sidewall34 when the beverage is flowing through the conditioning channel andbeing dispensed. More specifically, when a suction is applied to thedispensing opening 58 and/or the container is tilted to dispense thebeverage, the beverage within beverage flow F will begin to flow throughthe conditioning channel 62 and along the sidewall 34 of the PCM liner18, thereby thermally contacting the PCM 74 within the PCM liner 18.However, as described above, the width D of the conditioning channel 62will regulate the volume and flow rate of beverage allowed to bedispensed, and thereby regulate the rate of thermal energy exchangebetween the beverage in beverage flow F and the PCM 74. Hence, thetemperature of the beverage in beverage flow F flowing through theconditioning channel 62 as it is being dispensed will be conditioned, oradjusted, to be within the desired drinking temperature range muchfaster than when the beverage is static within the reservoir 42 and notbeing dispensed. (i.e., not flowing through the conditioning channel62).

As described above, the dispensing partition 46 (or, in variousinstances the partition steeping basket 46/86) is spaced a distance Dfrom the PCM liner 18, thereby defining the beverage temperatureconditioning channel 62 having the predetermined width of D. Moreparticularly, the channel width D and length L are computationallypredetermined using advanced heat transfer modeling, and verified by theexperimental data, to ensure that the beverage will be dispensed throughthe dispensing opening 58 in the HLP lid 50 at approximately the desireddrinking temperature. More specifically, the channel width D and lengthL are computationally predetermined using advanced heat transfermodeling, and verified by the experimental data, to produce a volume andflow rate of the beverage flow F through the conditioning channel 62that will allow the necessary thermal exchange between the beverage flowF and the PCM 74 within the PCM liner sidewall 34 to ensure the beverageis dispensed at a temperature within the desired drinking range. Invarious exemplary embodiments, the width D of the conditioning channel62 can be between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, e.g., 0.9 mm.

The PCM 74 properties are also accurately predetermined by advanced heattransfer modeling and experimental investigation to accurately controlthe temperature of the beverage being dispensed. As described above,initially, after the beverage is poured into the container system 10,when the beverage flows through the conditioning channel 62 and contactsthe PCM liner sidewall 34, thermal energy is transferred from thebeverage to the PCM 74, whereby the PCM 74 changes phase from solid toliquid to store the thermal energy. Using different PCMs 74 withdifferent phase change temperatures (i.e., melting temperatures), thecontainer system 10 can be configured to dispense a beverage atdifferent dinking temperatures. For example, if one person likes todrink coffee at 63° C./145° F., a corresponding PCM 74 and/or channelwidth D and/or channel length L will be implemented such that a beveragepoured into the container system 10 at a temperature higher than 63°C./145° F. will be dispensed at approximately 63° C./145° F. However, ifanother person likes to drink coffee at 55° C./131° F., a different PCM74 and/or channel width D and/or channel length L will be implementedsuch that a beverage poured into the container system 10 at atemperature higher than 55° C./131° F. will be dispensed atapproximately 55° C./131° F.

As described above, in various embodiments, the HLP lid 50 and thedispensing partition 46 are structured such that seal is formed betweenthe partition proximal end 46B and an underside of the lid central body50A that blocks the beverage from flowing around the partition proximalend 46B and forces the beverage to flow through the beverageconditioning channel 62 in order to be dispensed through the dispensingopening 58. As one skilled in the art would readily understand, becauseonly the beverage ingress opening 54 allows for air to enter the mainretention chamber 66 (thereby providing an air inlet hole), and only thedispensing opening 58 allows for the beverage to exit as the beverage isbeing dispensed, a closed interconnected path is formed between theingress opening 54 and the dispensing opening 58. Hence, when thecontainer system 10 is tilted, or a consumer draws on (e.g., applies asuction to) the HLP lid 50 at the dispensing opening 58, a negativepressure is produced within the conditioning channel 62 (similar todrawing on a straw inserted into beverage filled glass). Moreover, whenthe container system 10 is tilted or a consumer draws on the dispensingopening 58 the volume of the beverage in the entire conditioning channel62 increases substantially uniformly (e.g., the level of the beverage inthe entire conditioning channel 62 rises uniformly) due to thehydrostatic pressure difference, regardless of the level of the beveragewithin the main retention chamber 66, as exemplarily illustrated inFIGS. 2A through 2C. Therefore, when the container system 10 is tiltedor a consumer draws on the dispensing opening 58 the beverage will fillthe entire conditioning channel 62 and will contact the entire length ofa portion of the inner surface of the PCM liner sidewall 34 as thebeverage is dispensed out the dispensing opening 58. Hence, the entirevolume of the beverage flowing through the conditioning channel 62 willthermally exchange heat with the PCM 74 within the PCM liner 18, therebysignificantly increasing the heat transfer rate and conditioning thebeverage temperature to the desired drinking temperature substantiallyinstantly.

As described above, in various instances, the container system 10 can beused dispense cold beverages at a desired drinking temperature (e.g., 1°C./34° F. to 6° C./43° F.). In such instances, the PCM 74 must beselected to have a melting temperature equivalent to the desireddrinking temperature, and PCM 74 must be transitioned to its solidstate. This can be done either by placing container system 10 in arefrigerated or cold environment having a temperature below the PCMmelting temperature such that the PCM 74 obtains its melting temperatureand is converted to its solid state. For example, the container system10 can be cooled (e.g., frozen) by placing it in an electric freezer, orin a cooler full of ice, or using a thermal electric cooling device, orany other suitable means for cooling the PCM 74 to its respectivemelting temperature. Once the PCM 74 is cooled to its meltingtemperature (i.e., the PCM 74 is converted to its solid phase) one canpour a beverage at any temperature above PCM 74 melting temperature(e.g., room temperature or higher) into the beverage reservoir 42 andthe beverage can substantially immediately be dispensed via theconditioning channel 62 and dispensing opening 58 at the desireddrinking temperature.

For example, if the PCM 74 is water, the container system 10 can beplaced in an electric freezer until the PCM 74 (water) in the PCM liner18 changes phase from liquid (water) to solid (ice). Thereafter, thecontainer system 10 can be removed from the freezer, and a beverage(e.g., beer) at room temperature is pour into the beverage reservoir 42via the ingress opening 54 in the HLP lid 50. Subsequently, when aconsumer or draws on the dispensing opening 58, and/or tilts thecontainer system 10, the beverage at room temperature starts to flowfrom the bottom portion of the main retention chamber 66, through theconditioning channel 62. As the beverage in beverage flow F flowsthrough the conditioning channel 62 the PCM 74 will absorb heat from thebeverage and very quickly cool the beverage within the beverage flow Fsuch that beverage is dispensed out the dispensing opening 58 atsubstantially the desired drinking temperature. Because the PCM 74 inPCM liner 18 is thermally protected by both insulated main body 14 andthe insulated beverage dispensing partition 46 (or, in various instancesthe partition steeping basket 46/86) the PCM 74 can remain in its solidstate, at its melting temperature for many hours.

As described above, the PCM 74 is selected, via advanced heat transfermodeling and experimental investigation, to have a melting temperaturecorresponding to a desired drinking temperature. For example, if adesired drinking temperature for a particular beverage is 4° C./39° F.(or 55° C./131° F. for a hot beverage), a corresponding PCM 74 will beselected that has a melting temperature of 4° C./39° F. (or 55° C./131°F. for a hot beverage). Similarly, if a desired drinking temperature fora particular beverage is 2° C./35° F. (or 58° C./136° F. for a hotbeverage), a corresponding PCM 74 will be selected that has a meltingtemperature of 2° C./35° F. (or 58° C./136° F. for a hot beverage).

In various embodiments wherein the PCM liner 18 includes the bottom 38,one skilled in the art will readily recognize that when a beverage isdisposed within the beverage reservoir 42 a lower portion of thebeverage (identified as the modified temperature zone in FIG. 1) willcontact the PCM liner bottom 38 and thermally exchange heat with the PCM72 therewithin, thereby modifying (e.g., reducing) the temperature ofthe beverage in the modified temperature zone. Hence, there will be adifference in the temperature between the beverage in the modifiedtemperature zone and the beverage with the upper portion of the beveragein the beverage reservoir 42 (identified as the high temperature zone inFIG. 1). When such a temperature difference exists, the temperaturedifference can produce a difference in density and buoyancy forcesbetween the beverage in the modified temperature zone and the beveragein the high temperature zone. When a beverage is poured into thecontainer system 10, this difference in density and buoyancy forcesbetween the beverage in the high temperature zone and the beverage inmodified temperature zone, in various instances, will prevent naturalconvection mixing of the beverage in the modified temperature zone withthe beverage in the high temperature zone.

For example, for a given beverage, if the temperature of the beverage inmodified temperature zone is higher than that in the high temperaturezone, the density of the beverage in the modified temperature zone islower than that in the high temperature zone. Therefore, the densitydifference and the resulting difference in buoyancy forces result inmixing of the beverage in modified temperature zone with that in thehigh temperature zone, via the natural convection. However, if thetemperature of the beverage in the modified temperature zone is lowerthan that in the high temperature zone, the density of the beverage inthe modified temperature zone is higher than that in the hightemperature zone. Therefore, the density difference and the resultingdifference in buoyancy forces do not result in mixing of the beverage inmodified temperature zone with that in the high temperature zone, viathe natural convection. Therefore, the hot beverage in the hightemperature zone will generally retain its original temperature for alonger time and not mix, via natural convection mixing, the coolertemperature beverage in the modified temperature zone.

It is important to recognize that, as described above, the PCM liner 18is disposed between the insulation filled main body and the insulationfilled beverage dispensing partition 46 (or, in various instances thepartition steeping basket 46/86). Hence, the PCM 74 disposed within thePCM liner is well insulated. For example, if the hot liquid is pouredinto the beverage reservoir 42, heat rejection from the beverage to thePCM liner sidewall 34 is significantly minimized due to the insulationfiled beverage dispensing partition 46 (or, in various instances thepartition steeping basket 46/86). In this way, the temperature of thebeverage within the beverage reservoir 42, i.e., within the mainretention chamber 66, is well insulated and the heat transfer rate frombeverage to the PCM 74 within the sidewall 34 of the PCM liner 18 issignificantly minimized. Additionally, the insulated main body 14disposed around the PCM line 18 provides insulation between the PCM 74within the PCM liner 18 and the ambient environment, which significantlyminimized the heat transfer between the ambient environment and the PCM74. Accordingly, the structure of the container system 10 can ensurethat when a beverage flows through the conditioning channel 62, thebeverage can be dispensed substantially immediately at a desireddrinking temperature.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, in various embodiments, the containersystem 10 can further comprise a steeping basket 86 for steeping suchthings a tea and coffee or any other dried or ground matter used to makea beverage. The steeping basket 86 is disposable (fixedly or removably)within the main beverage retention chamber 66 and generally comprisesone or more sidewall 90, a mesh or filter or other type of sieve bottom94 connected to a distal end of the sidewall 90 and a top lip 102disposed around and extending from a proximal end of the sidewall 90. Invarious embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4A, the lip 102is structured and operable to support or hang the steeping basket 86from the proximal end 46B of the beverage dispensing partition 46 suchthat the steeping basket sidewall 90 and sieve bottom 94 are suspendedwithin the main beverage retention chamber 66. More particularly, thelip 102 is structured to be disposed between the dispensing partitionproximal end 46B of the beverage dispensing partition 46 and theunderside of the lid central body 50A and to form a seal. Importantly,in various embodiments, when the HLP lid 50 is properly disposed on andsecured to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or thedispensing partition 46 the lid central body 50A, the steeping baskettop lip 102, and the proximal end 46B of the dispensing partition 46form a seal therebetween such that the only flow path for the beverageto be dispensed through the beverage dispensing opening 58 is for thebeverage to flow F to flow around the dispensing partition distal end46A, through the conditioning channel 62 and out the dispensing opening58 in the HLP lid 50, as described in detail below.

In use, a dried or ground matter such as tea or coffee can be placed inthe steeping basket 86 and the steeping basket placed into the mainretention chamber 66. Thereafter, hot water can be poured into thebeverage reservoir 42 such that the hot water is poured over the driedor ground matter, flows over, across and through a dried or groundmatter and through the sieve bottom 94, thereby filling the beveragereservoir 42 with hot water will turn to a beverage (e.g., tea orcoffee) as a dried or ground matter steeps in the hot water.Subsequently, the beverage can be dispensed through the conditioningchannel 62 and dispensing opening 58 at a temperature within the desiredtemperature range as described above.

In various embodiments, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 4B, thesidewall of 90 of the steeping basket 86 is structured and operable toprovide the beverage dispensing partition 46 (i.e., the beveragedispensing partition 46 comprises the sidewall 90 of the steeping basket86), herein referred to as the partition steeping basket 46/86. Invarious instances such embodiments, the partition steeping basket 46/86can be removably connected to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18.For example, in various instances the partition steeping basket 46/86can be threadingly engaged with and connected to the main body 14 and/orthe PCM liner 18. Alternatively, in various other instances thepartition steeping basket 46/86 can be frictionally or compressivelyengaged with and connected to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18.In such embodiments wherein the steeping basket 86 is structure andoperable to provide the beverage dispensing partition 46, the HLP lid 50can be removably engageable with and connectable to the main body 14and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or the partition steeping basket 46/86.Importantly, when the HLP lid 50 is properly disposed on and secured tothe main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or the partition steepingbasket 46/86 the lid central body 50A and the steeping basket toplip/dispensing partition proximal end 102/46B form a seal therebetweensuch that the only flow path for the beverage to be dispensed throughthe beverage dispensing opening 58 is for the beverage to flow F to flowthrough the sieve bottom 94 of the partition steeping basket 46/86,around the distal end 46A of the steeping basket sidewall/beveragepartition 90/46, through the conditioning channel 62 and out thedispensing opening 58 in the HLP lid 50, as described in detail above.In such embodiments, the beverage temperature conditioning channel 62,formed and defined by the steeping basket sidewall/beverage partition90/46 functions to condition the temperature of the beverage with thebeverage flow F, as described in detail above.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C in various embodiments thecontainer system 10 can comprise one or more heat sink 106 disposedwithin the PCM cavity 70 of the PCM liner 18. The heat sink(s) 106 aremounted to or connected to the inner wall 18A and provide a thermallyconductive conduit from the inner wall 18A into the interior of the PCMliner 18 and into the PCM 74, thereby increasing the heat transfer ratefrom the beverage flowing through the conditioning channel 62 and thePCM 74. In various instances the heat sink(s) 106 comprise fins or otherforms fabricated from a high thermally conductive metal, e.g., aluminumor copper, that are disposed longitudinally, as exemplarily shown inFIG. 5A, and/or laterally, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5B, within thePCM cavity 70. In various other instances the heat sink(s) can have afolded fin configuration such as that exemplarily illustrated in FIG.5C. Furthermore, it is envisioned that in various embodiments the heatsink(s) 106 can comprise foams or heat pipes, e.g., oscillating heatpipe, that transfer heat from one location to another location, and/ordistribute heat throughout a plane (e.g., throughout a heat sink fin)very quickly and efficiently.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 in various embodiments the containersystem 10 can have a PCM liner 118 disposed only in the bottom of thereservoir 42, wherein the PCM liner 118 comprises a PCM cavity 170 atleast partially filled with a PCM 174. In such embodiments, beveragedispensing partition 46 can comprise a sidewall 46C and an annularbottom 46D extending from the distal end of the partition sidewall 46C,such that the beverage temperature condition channel 62 has an ‘L’ shapeand passes beneath the annular bottom 46D and along the sidewall 46C.More particularly, the conditioning channel 62 is formed between thepartition annular bottom 46D and the PCM liner 118, and between thepartition sidewall 46C and the main body sidewall 22, as shown in FIGS.6 and 7. In such embodiments, when a hot beverage flows through thebeverage ingress opening 54 into the beverage reservoir 42, the thermalenergy can be exchanged between the hot beverage and the PCM 74 as thebeverage flows through the conditioning channel 62, thereby dispensingthe beverage at a temperature within a desired temperature range.

In various embodiments, the 1′ shaped dispensing partition 46 can be ahollow body structured and formed to include an interior hollow spacethat defines an insulation cavity 182 that can be at least partiallyfilled with thermal insulation. The thermal insulation can be anysuitable thermal insulation, for example, in various embodiments theinsulation cavity 182 can be at least partially filled with any desiredthermal insulating material, gas or liquid, or can be absent a material,gas or liquid. For example, in various instances, the insulation cavity182 can be absent or void of air, or mostly absent or void of air (e.g.,a vacuum or reduced air), or in other instances the insulation cavity182 can be at least partially filled with fiberglass, polystyrene,polyurethane foam, cellulose, mineral wool, or any other presently andfuture known thermal insulation material. The dispensing partition 46and the thermal insulating within the insulating cavity 182 provide abarrier between the beverage within the retention chamber 66 and thebeverage within the conditioning channel 62 and the PCM 174 within thePCM liner 118, and thereby significantly reduce or substantially preventthe rejection of thermal energy from the beverage within the retentionchamber 66 to the beverage within the conditioning channel 62 and to thePCM 174 within the PCM liner 118. Therefore, the temperature of thebeverage within the retention chamber 66 will be maintained at or nearits initial temperature and the decrease of the temperature within theretention chamber 66 will be retarded for an extended period of time(e.g., 1-12 hours).

Alternatively, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 7, in various embodiments,the 1′ shaped dispensing partition can be a solid wall, as opposed tothe hollow insulated partition exemplarily shown in FIG. 6. In suchinstances the beverage would pass through the conditioning channel 62,as described above, such that the beverage is dispensed at a temperaturewithin a desired temperature range.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A through 9D, as described above, the containersystem 10 comprises the heat loss protection (HLP) lid 50 that isremovably connectable to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/orthe beverage dispensing partition 46 and/or the partition steepingbasket 46/86. The HLP lid 50 includes the beverage ingress opening 54formed in the central body 50A that allows a beverage to be poured intothe beverage reservoir 42, and a beverage dispensing opening 58 formedin a lip or rim of the HLP lid 50 that allows a beverage to be dispensedfrom the beverage reservoir 42. In various embodiments, as exemplarilyillustrated in FIGS. 8A through 9D, the HLP lid 50 additionally includesa hidden, concealed, or non-obvious air intake hole 146 that allows airto enter the main beverage retention chamber 66 as the beverage is beingdispensed through the conditioning channel 62 and dispensing opening 58,as described above. That is, the air hole 146 is concealed from thesight of, and not readily viewable or obvious to, the consumer. The HLPlid 50 is structured and operable to removably engage with the containerbody 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or the beverage dispensing partition46 and/or the partition steeping basket 46/86 in a substantiallyliquid-tight manner. As described above, in various embodiments, the HLPlid 50 comprises an outer retention collar 98A that is structured tothreadably or frictionally/compressively engage the body 14 and/or PCMliner 18, and an inner retention collar 98B that is structured tothreadably or frictionally/compressively engage the dispensing partition46, or the partition steeping basket 46/86. Importantly, the HLP lid 50is structured such that when it is properly disposed on and secured tothe main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or dispensing partition 46and/or the partition steeping basket 46/86 the central body 50A of theHLP lid 50 and a proximal end 46B of the dispensing partition 46 or thepartition steeping basket 46/86 form a seal therebetween such that theonly flow path for the beverage to be dispensed through the beveragedispensing opening 58 is for the beverage to flow around the distal end46A of the dispensing partition, or through the sieve bottom 94 andaround the distal end 46A of the of the sidewall 90 of the partitionsteeping basket 46/86, through the conditioning channel 62 and out thedispensing opening 58.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E and 8F, in various embodimentsthe beverage ingress opening 54 comprises an opening formed generally inthe center of in the central body 50A. In such embodiments, the HLP lid50 additionally includes a heat loss protection unit 138 that is fixedlyor removably connected to HLP lid central body 50A such that the heatloss protection unit 138 is suspended from an underside of the centralbody 50A and disposed adjacent the beverage ingress opening 54. The heatloss protection unit 138 is structured to form a reservoir 138C having aflat base 138A with a circumferential lip 138B extending at an angle(e.g., a 45° to 90° angle) from a peripheral or circumferential edge ofthe base 138A. Additionally, in such embodiments, the HLP lid 50 furthercomprises a collar 142 that is disposed in or integrally formed aroundthe periphery of the beverage ingress opening 54. The collar 142 extendsfrom the underside of the central body 50A such that the collar 142extends into an interior space of the reservoir 138C of the heat lossprotection unit 138 defined by the lip 138B. More particularly, the heatloss protection unit 138 has a radius that is greater than a radius ofthe ingress opening collar 138, and a distal end 138B1 of the lip 138Bof the heat loss protection unit 138 extends toward the underside ofcentral body 50A beyond a distal end 142A of the collar 142 such thatthe distal end 142A of the collar 142 and the distal end 138B1 of theheat loss protection unit lip 138B extend past or beyond each other andoverlap.

The beverage ingress opening 54 allows a user to pour a beverage intothe main beverage retention chamber 66 without removing the HLP lid 50.Moreover, since the heat loss protection unit 138 is disposed beneaththe beverage ingress opening 54, when the beverage passes through thebeverage ingress opening 54, as the beverage is poured through thebeverage ingress opening 54 the beverage will fill and the heat lossprotection unit reservoir 138C, then overflow over the HLP unit lip138B, and subsequently enter the main beverage retention chamber 66.Accordingly, when filling, or refilling, the respective main beverageretention chamber 66, some of beverage will be retained within the HLPunit reservoir 138C. Because the ingress opening collar 142 extendinginto the HLP unit reservoir 138C, the distal end 142A of ingress openingcollar will be submerged in the beverage retained within the HLP unitreservoir 138C, such that the beverage retained within the HLP unitreservoir 138C will form a liquid interface, barrier, or wall 150between main beverage retention chamber 66 and the ambient environmentaround the container system 10. Importantly, the liquid barrier 150directly blocks thermal energy exchange between the beverage retainedwithin the main beverage retention chamber 66 and the ambientenvironment (e.g., blocks steam from flowing between a hot beveragewithin the main beverage retention chamber 66 and the ambient airoutside of the container system 10), which results in the reduction ofheat loss. However, if a pressure difference between main beverageretention chamber 66 and the ambient environment is developed as thebeverage is dispensed via the dispensing opening 58, the force of thepressure difference can easily break the liquid barrier 150, therebyproviding the air hole 146 as the space or gap between the distal end142A of the collar 142 and the distal end 138B1 of the HLP unit lip138B, to balance the pressure to allow the beverage to be smoothly andevenly dispensed. For example, if a consumer drinks from the containersystem 10 the resulting pressure difference (i.e., air is needed to flowinto the main beverage retention chamber 66), the ambient air fromoutside can easily flow through the liquid barrier 150 into the mainbeverage retention chamber 66 and balance the pressure. As describedabove, the air hole 146 provided by the breaking of the liquid barrier150 is not readily viewable or readily obvious to the consumer.

Alternatively, as exemplarily illustrated in FIGS. 8C and 8D, if aconsumer removes the HLP lid 50 to fill the main beverage retentionchamber 66 with a beverage, then subsequently secures the HLP lid 50 tothe main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 and/or dispensing partition 46and/or the partition steeping basket 46/86 the HLP unit reservoir 138Cmay not contain any beverage. However, in such instances, becausecondensation or steam from the beverage disposed within the mainbeverage retention chamber 66 will form on an underside of the HLP lid50, a liquid-vapor barrier 154, interface or wall will be formed betweenthe distal end 142S of the ingress opening collar 142 and the surface ofthe base 138A of the HLP unit reservoir 138C. Because a gap distance Sbetween the distal end 142S of the ingress opening collar 142 and thesurface of the base 138A of the HLP unit reservoir 138C (shown in FIG.8D) is very small (e.g., 1/16- 3/16 of an inch, or 1.5-4.8 mm), severalcondensate droplets will fill to the gap S due to the capillary forcesdeveloped by the liquid tension and the structure of HLP unit 138,thereby forming the liquid-vapor barrier 154. Accordingly, thermalenergy exchange between the beverage retained within the main beverageretention chamber 66 and the ambient environment is blocked (e.g., steamflowing between a hot beverage within the main beverage retentionchamber 66 and the ambient air outside of the container system 10 isblocked), which results in the reduction of heat loss. However, if apressure difference between main beverage retention chamber 66 and theambient environment is developed as the beverage is dispensed via thedispensing opening 58, the force of the pressure difference can easilybreak the liquid-vapor barrier 154, thereby providing the air hole 146,to balance the pressure to allow the beverage to be smoothly and evenlydispensed. For example, if a consumer drinks from the container system10 the resulting pressure difference (i.e., air is needed to flow intothe main beverage retention chamber 66), the ambient air from outsidecan easily flow through the liquid-vapor barrier 154 into the mainbeverage retention chamber 66 and balance the pressure. As describedabove, the air hole 146 provided by the breaking of the liquid-vaporbarrier 154 is not readily viewable or readily obvious to the consumer.

As described above, the HLP unit 138 can be fixedly or removablyconnected to HLP lid central body 50A. For example, in variousembodiments, it is envisioned that the HLP unit 138 and the HLP lidcentral body 50A can be structured such that the HLP unit 138 is snapconnectable to and removable from the HLP lid central body 50A

Referring now to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D, in various embodiments, thebeverage ingress opening 54 of the HLP lid 50 comprises an off-centeropening formed near an outer periphery of the HLP lid central body 50Adirectly opposite and diametrically across the central body 50A from thedispensing opening 58. In such embodiments, the HLP lid 50 additionallyincludes an ingress opening cover 158 that is movably connected to theHLP lid central body 50A and is structured and operable to be moveable(e.g., pivotally or slidingly) between an Open and Closed position. Whenthe ingress opening cover 158 is in the Open position the ingressopening 54 is exposed and accessible to allow a beverage to be pouredtherethrough and into the main beverage retention chamber 66. When theingress opening cover 158 is in the Closed position, the ingress opening54 is covered and inaccessible. Moreover, when the ingress opening cover158 is in the Closed position, the ingress opening is substantiallysealed, except for the hidden, concealed, or non-obvious air hole 146(described below), such that thermal energy exchange between thebeverage retained within the main beverage retention chamber 66 and theambient environment is blocked (e.g., steam flowing between a hotbeverage within the main beverage retention chamber 66 and the ambientair outside of the container system 10 is blocked), which results in thereduction of heat loss.

In such embodiments, the ingress opening cover 158 and/or the beverageingress opening 54 is/are structured such that small gap defining theair hole 146 is provided between an edge of the ingress opening cover158 and an edge of the beverage ingress opening 54 along a small portionof an interface between the between the edge of the ingress openingcover 158 and the edge of the beverage ingress opening 54. For example,FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D and 9E exemplarily illustrate the HLP lid 50wherein the ingress opening cover 158 comprises a flip-up coverpivotally connected to the HLP lid central body 50A. In suchembodiments, the flip-up ingress opening cover 158 generally comprises afront face 162, a hinged rear portion 166 structured to pivotallyconnect the flip-up ingress opening cover 158 with the HLP lid centralbody 50A, a lift tab 172 extending from a top portion of the front face162 structured to assist the user in easily moving the flip-up ingressopening cover 158 between the Open and the Closed positions, and asealing lip 176 formed along a bottom edge of the front face 162structured to contact and mate with an edge of the beverage ingressopening 54 and to form a seal along a significant portion (e.g.,90%-95%) of the interface between the between the peripheral edge of theingress opening cover sealing lip 176 and the edge of the beverageingress opening 54. As best shown in FIGS. 9A and 9E, the sealing lip176 includes a discontinuous portion 176A (e.g., a flat or concaveportion) that provides a small gap between the front face sealing lip176 and the peripheral edge of the ingress opening 54, thereby definingthe air hole 146. As best shown in FIG. 9A, the lift tab 172 extendsfrom the front face 162 such that the air hole 146 is generally hiddenor concealed such that the air hole 146 is not readily viewable orobvious to the consumer.

Referring now to FIGS. 4B and 10, as described above, in variousembodiments, the steeping basket sidewall 90 can be structured andoperable to provide the beverage dispensing partition 46 (i.e., thebeverage dispensing partition 46 comprises the sidewall 90 of thesteeping basket 86). As further described above, in various instances ofsuch embodiments, the partition steeping basket 46/86 can be removablyconnected to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18.

Alternatively, as exemplarily illustrated in FIG. 10, in variousinstances, the partition steeping basket 46/86 can be removablyengageable with the HLP lid 50 such that the HLP lid 50 and partitionsteeping basket 46/86 are combinable to create a HLP lid and partitionsteeping basket unit 50/46/86 that is removable and separable from themain body 14 and PCM liner 18. In such instances, the HLP lid andpartition steeping basket unit 50/46/86 can be inserted into thebeverage reservoir 42 whereafter the HLP lid 50 can be removablyconnectable to the main body 14 and/or PCM liner 18 as described above.For example, in various embodiments, the partition steeping basket 46/86can be threadingly, or frictionally or compressively removablyconnectable to HLP lid 50 inner retention collar 98B to form the HLP lidand partition steeping basket unit 50/46/86. Thereafter, the HLP lid andpartition steeping basket unit 50/46/86 can be inserted into thebeverage reservoir and the HLP lid 50 outer retention collar 98A can bethreadingly, or frictionally or compressively removably connectable tomain body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 the thereby form the containersystem 10 described herein. In such instances, when HLP lid andpartition steeping basket unit 50/46/86 disposed within the beveragereservoir 42 and coupled to the main body 14 and/or the PCM liner 18 theonly flow path for the beverage to be dispensed through the beveragedispensing opening 58 is for the beverage to flow F to flow through thesieve bottom 94 of the partition steeping basket 46/86, around thedistal end 46A of the steeping basket sidewall/beverage partition 90/46,through the conditioning channel 62 and out the dispensing opening 58 inthe HLP lid 50, as described in detail above. In such embodiments, thebeverage temperature conditioning channel 62, formed and defined by thesteeping basket sidewall/beverage partition 90/46 functions to conditionthe temperature of the beverage with the beverage flow F, as describedin detail above. Although HLP lid 50 is exemplarily illustrated in FIG.10 as the HLP lid shown in, and described in regards to, FIGS. 9Athrough 9E, it should be understood HLP lid 50 shown in, and describedin regards to, FIG. 10 can embodiment of the HLP lid 50 disclosedherein.

The description herein is merely exemplary in nature and, thus,variations that do not depart from the gist of that which is describedare intended to be within the scope of the teachings. Moreover, althoughthe foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exampleembodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elementsand/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinationsof elements and/or functions can be provided by alternative embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the disclosure. Such variations andalternative combinations of elements and/or functions are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the teachings.

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat loss protection lid for a thermal liquidcontainer system, said heat loss protection lid comprising: a centralbody; a liquid ingress opening formed within the central body; a liquiddispensing opening formed within one of a peripheral edge of the centralbody or a lip formed around the peripheral edge of the central body; anda concealed air intake hole.
 2. The lid of claim 1 further comprising:an outer retention collar structured to removably engage a main body ofthe thermal liquid container system; and an inner retention collarstructured to removably engage a dispensing partition of the thermalliquid container system, wherein when the outer retention collar isengaged with the main body of the thermal liquid container system, andthe inner retention collar is engaged with the dispensing partition ofthe thermal liquid container system, the central body and a proximal endof the dispensing partition form a seal therebetween such that the onlyflow path for a liquid to be dispensed from the thermal liquid containersystem through the liquid dispensing opening is for the liquid to flowaround a distal end of the dispensing partition, and through a liquidconditioning channel formed between the dispensing partition and themain body of the thermal liquid container system.
 3. The lid of claim 2wherein liquid ingress opening comprises an opening formed in the centerof in the central body, and the lid further comprises: a heat lossprotection unit connectable to the central body such that the heat lossprotection unit is suspended from an underside of the central body anddisposed adjacent the liquid ingress opening, the heat loss protectionunit comprising a reservoir having a circumferential lip; and an ingressopening collar disposed around the periphery of the liquid ingressopening, the collar extending from the underside of the central bodysuch that the collar extends into an interior space of the reservoir ofthe heat loss protection unit, wherein
 4. The lid of claim 3 wherein theheat loss protection unit has a radius that is greater than a radius ofthe ingress opening collar, and a distal end of the lip of the heat lossprotection unit extends toward the underside of central body beyond adistal end of the collar such that the distal end of the collar and thedistal end of the heat loss protection unit lip extend beyond each otherand overlap.
 5. The lid of claim 4 wherein the heat loss protection unitis structured and operable to retain liquid within the reservoir whenthe liquid is poured through the liquid ingress opening such that theliquid retained within the reservoir will form a liquid barrier betweena main liquid retention chamber of the thermal liquid container systemand an ambient environment around the lid, wherein the liquid barrierblocks thermal energy exchange between the liquid retained within themain liquid retention chamber and the ambient environment.
 6. The lid ofclaim 5 wherein the concealed air intake hole comprises a gap betweenthe distal end of the collar and the distal end of the heat lossprotection unit lip that is provided when the liquid barrier broken by apressure difference between the main liquid retention chamber and theambient environment is generated as the liquid is dispensed via thedispensing opening
 7. The lid of claim 2 wherein liquid ingress openingcomprises an off-center opening formed near an outer periphery of thecentral body directly opposite and diametrically across the central bodyfrom the dispensing opening.
 8. The lid of claim 7 further comprising aningress opening cover that is movably connected to the central body andis structured and operable to be moveable between an Open and Closedposition.
 9. The lid of claim 8 wherein: when the ingress opening coveris in the Open position the ingress opening is exposed and accessible toallow liquid to be poured therethrough and into the main a main liquidretention chamber of the thermal liquid container system; and when theingress opening cover is in the Closed position, the ingress opening iscovered and inaccessible and the ingress opening is substantially sealedsuch that thermal energy exchange between the liquid retained within themain liquid retention chamber and the ambient environment around the lidis blocked.
 10. The lid of claim 9 wherein the ingress opening covercomprises: a front face; a hinged rear portion a lift tab extending fromthe front face; and a sealing lip formed along a bottom edge of thefront face, the sealing lip having a discontinuous portion, wherein theconcealed air intake hole comprises a gap between the discontinuousportion of sealing lip and a peripheral edge of the ingress opening. 11.A thermal liquid container system for dispensing a liquid from thesystem at a temperature within a desired temperature range, said systemcomprising: a main body; a phase change material (PCM) liner disposedwithin the main body having a PCM disposed therein, the PCM having aselected melting temperature; a liquid reservoir defined by PCM liner,the liquid reservoir structured and operable to have a liquid disposedtherein having a first temperature; a removable liquid dispensingpartition disposable within the liquid reservoir such that a temperatureconditioning channel is formed between the PCM liner and the beveragedispensing partition; and a heat loss protection lid, the heat lossprotection lid comprising: a central body; a liquid ingress openingformed within the central body; a liquid dispensing opening formedwithin one of a peripheral edge of the central body or a lip formedaround the peripheral edge of the central body; and a concealed airintake hole, wherein the temperature conditioning channel is structuredand operable condition a temperature of the liquid passing therethroughto be within a desired temperature range determined by the selected PCMmelting temperature.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein the removabledispensing partition comprises a sidewall of a steeping basket that isremovably disposable within the liquid reservoir.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the heat loss protection lid further comprising: anouter retention collar structured to removably engage the main body ofthe thermal liquid container system; and an inner retention collarstructured to removably engage the dispensing partition sidewall of thesteeping basket, wherein when the outer retention collar is engaged withthe main body of the thermal liquid container system, and the innerretention collar is engaged with the dispensing partition sidewall ofthe steeping basket, the central body of the heat loss protection lidand a proximal end of the dispensing partition form a seal therebetweensuch that the only flow path for the liquid to be dispensed from thethermal liquid container system through the liquid dispensing opening isfor the liquid to flow around a distal end of the dispensing partitionsidewall of the steeping basket, and through the liquid conditioningchannel.
 14. The system of claim 13 wherein liquid ingress openingcomprises an opening formed in the center of in the central body, andthe lid further comprises: a heat loss protection unit connectable tothe central body such that the heat loss protection unit is suspendedfrom an underside of the central body and disposed adjacent the liquidingress opening, the heat loss protection unit comprises a reservoirhaving a circumferential lip; and an ingress opening collar disposedaround the periphery of the liquid ingress opening, the collar extendingfrom the underside of the central body such that the collar extends intoan interior space of the reservoir of the heat loss protection unit,wherein the heat loss protection unit has a radius that is greater thana radius of the ingress opening collar, and a distal end of the lip ofthe heat loss protection unit extends toward the underside of centralbody beyond a distal end of the collar such that the distal end of thecollar and the distal end of the heat loss protection unit lip extendbeyond each other and overlap.
 15. The system of claim 14 wherein theheat loss protection unit is structured and operable to retain liquidwithin the reservoir when the liquid is poured through the liquidingress opening such that the liquid retained within the reservoir willform a liquid barrier between a main liquid retention chamber of thethermal liquid container system and an ambient environment around thelid, wherein the liquid barrier blocks thermal energy exchange betweenthe liquid retained within the main liquid retention chamber and theambient environment.
 16. The system of claim 15 wherein the concealedair intake hole comprises a gap between the distal end of the collar andthe distal end of the heat loss protection unit lip that is providedwhen the liquid barrier broken by a pressure difference between the mainliquid retention chamber and the ambient environment is generated as theliquid is dispensed via the dispensing opening
 17. The system of claim11 wherein liquid ingress opening comprises an off-center opening formednear an outer periphery of the central body directly opposite anddiametrically across the central body from the dispensing opening. 18.The system of claim 17 further comprising an ingress opening cover thatis movably connected to the central body and is structured and operableto be moveable between an Open and Closed position.
 19. The system ofclaim 18 wherein: when the ingress opening cover is in the Open positionthe ingress opening is exposed and accessible to allow liquid to bepoured therethrough and into the main a main liquid retention chamber ofthe thermal liquid container system; and when the ingress opening coveris in the Closed position, the ingress opening is covered andinaccessible and the ingress opening is substantially sealed such thatthermal energy exchange between the liquid retained within the mainliquid retention chamber and the ambient environment around the lid isblocked.
 20. The system of claim 19 wherein the ingress opening covercomprises: a front face; a hinged rear portion a lift tab extending fromthe front face; and a sealing lip formed along a bottom edge of thefront face, the sealing lip having a discontinuous portion, wherein theconcealed air intake hole comprises a gap between the discontinuousportion of sealing lip and a peripheral edge of the ingress opening.